SWITCHER SATURDAY 10/7/23 Edition!!

Lionel 6-84507 is a diecast Legacy model of New York Central & Hudson River Railroad S-2 electric motor #3207, released in 2017 with MSRP $799.99. It is listed for operation on O-36 curved track.

After an accident due to excessive smoke in the Park Avenue Tunnel in 1902, a law was enacted to prohibit steam locomotives in Manhattan beginning in 1908. The New York Central responded by having General Electric and Alco develop an electric locomotive (Class S-1 #6000) with a 1-D-1 wheel arrangement and installing 600-volt DC third-rail on its line between Grand Central Terminal and Harmon, NY (about 31 miles), and on its Harlem Line between GCT and North White Plains. Shortly after electric operations began in 1907, a train powered by two electric locomotives derailed with numerous fatalities and injuries, and the Class S locomotives were modified by adding another set of wheels to the leading and trailing trucks to improve high-speed tracking on curves. Despite their 2-D-2 wheel arrangement, and due to their long rigid wheelbase, the S-2 locomotives were never fully satisfactory pulling long heavy trains at high speeds.

As a result, the S motors were assigned to short local commuter trains and empty equipment movements between Grand Central and the coach yards at Mott Haven in the Bronx (about 6.5 miles) for 60 years. Their final assignment was switching in the underground yards of Grand Central Terminal. The last one was retired in 1981 after 75 years in service. They had a maximum speed of 60 miles-per-hour, tractive effort of 37,000 pounds, 2,200 horsepower for starting, and 1,695 horsepower for continuous operation.

S-1 electric motor #6000 has been stored outside near Albany, New York and plans are to move it to the Danbury Railway Museum in Connecticut.

The swinging bell feature on Lionel’s S-2 model can be seen in the first video, in which it is pulling an MTH Premier model of New York Central lightning-stripe heavyweight passenger car #1991 at a scale speed of 21 miles-per-hour. The locomotive sounds to me like a trolley car.

MELGAR

Thanks, Patrick, for getting us started so early this Saturday.

This Boston & Maine diesel switcher is at the head of a long New England freight train:

Have a Happy Switcher Saturday!

Arnold

Good morning switcher fans!  Thanks, Patrick, for being the “super sub” of the day!

Last Saturday I mentioned I was going to a train show, hoping to find a new switcher to add to my collection.  I’m happy to say I got lucky and found not only a switcher, but a caboose to match it at a great price.

Delaware & Hudson Alco RS11 no. 5001 and smoking bay window caboose no. 35721 are Lionel models.  They’re “oldies but goodies” - having been listed in Lionel’s 2001 catalog - but were barely run, if at all.  No.5001 runs perfect, but doesn’t smoke.  I can have my technician repair it and still end up with a good deal.  The caboose smokes fine and doesn’t overheat like some K-line models.

John

Happy Switcher Saturday!

A pair of CN switchers moving a few freight cars.

Have a great day!

John - love your video! That Lionel D&H RS11 was one of my Sandy victims, and one of my first repurchases after I was dragged kicking and screaming back into O Gauge 2 years ago. Just a great product from Lionel. I wanted to get the NYC RS11 that was being sold on the board last year, but was too slow. It was also made in New Haven colors.

Railking GP20

TnkMarx, images not found.

John

A good Switcher Saturday to all.  This week our favorite steam switcher, the MTH B6, was asked to bring out a few newly renovated passenger cars.  The cars were sidelined for almost a year until I was finally able to get the parts (mostly lighting related) and restore them to full service -

Thanks, Mark!  A D&H diesel has been on my list for a long time due that beautiful paint scheme.  I didn’t have a RS11 either, so it was a great find.

John

Happy SWSat!

Great start again this week. Thanks to Patrick for taking the lead for a while.

I finally opened up a MTH diesel that I had bought years ago from Trainz. It's a Penn Central RS27, MTH Premier with PS1 (QSI). It was released in the 1997 Vol II catalog. Don't know why it sat in the box for so long but either way it has finally seen the light of day. Incidentally, I believe it was the first time since being packed in the factory.

Anyway, I did the standard maintenance, remove the white battery of death, install GRJ supercap, lube, etc. Put the engine on the track and it lit up but won't move. Turns out the trucks are all jammed up and won't turn. I have it back on the bench, I've gotten the rear truck loosened up but not enough to call it done. I may just order a new pair of trucks. I'll see if any improvement can be made this weekend, if not then new it is.

The RS27 never caught on with the railroads and ALCO built only 27 engines. The PRR took the largest order of 15 (#2400-2414) which were around into the PC/ CR days and kept their original numbers throughout their life. The SOO Line bought two of these engines that are still in service on a short line in Minnesota.

Found this shot of the original.

So I had planned on showing #2406  with my SW1200 running the layout but a couple of stills will have to do.

Have a great weekend.

Bob

Now that my SMS SW1200 project is complete (showcased in last week's Switcher Saturday).  My winter project is the SMS 2003.  A GP38-3 with an SD40 back porch.

More to come this winter.

These are my pictures.

@Strap Hanger,

Your layout photos always remind me of Queens Boulevard under the elevated line. Very nice.

@Mark V. Spadaro,

Mark - Is that picture from the pre-Sandy layout?

@Steam Crazy,

John - Nice D&H engine and caboose. Where was the train show last weekend?

MELGAR

@Steam Crazy posted:

Thanks, Mark!  A D&H diesel has been on my list for a long time due that beautiful paint scheme.  I didn’t have a RS11 either, so it was a great find.

John

+ @Mark V. Spadaro

I have 3 RS11's John. D&H, NH, and NYC. They are beauties. Lionel did a great job with the detailing too.

Bob

Great start trumptrain WTG Lionel Pennsylvania switcher moving some freight.

Good morning SWSAT crew!

This past week my wife and I took a short vacation that included a ride on the Greenbriar Express at Cass West Virginia.  The Shay locomotives that Cass Scenic Railroad uses are a sight to behold.  I could have just sat and watched them run up and down the tracks all day.  The sound of the engines and running gear are hypnotizing.  The smell of the coal smoke, steam and grease is intoxicating.

As I live only about 1/2 hour from the old Lima Locomotive Works, these locomotives hold a special place in my heart.  About 30 years ago my wife and I attended a concert by the Lima Symphony Orchestra that was held in the Shay shop at the former Locomotive Works.  This was a last hurrah as the building came down shortly after the concert.  It was a special feeling seeing these beasts up close and in operation, especially since I was actually in the building where they were built.  After this visit I have a new appreciation for the phrase "It runs like a well oiled machine".

A crew member lubricates the drive train during our stop to eat lunch.

The vertically mounted three cylinder steam engine and drive train.

Beveled gears on the wheel.  The mating beveled gear is behind the rounded shield.

The following videos show Shay #4 in action.  Crank up the volume and enjoy!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

MELGAR, the show was at the Boxboro Regency, Boxboro, MA.  It was sponsored by an HO club, but there was a fair amount of O.  Like I said, I was lucky!

John

Thanks for getting us started Patrick. In the yard awaiting assignments. Consistently one of my favorite threads.

Andy

@MELGAR posted:

@Strap Hanger,

Your layout photos always remind me of Queens Boulevard under the elevated line. Very nice.

@Mark V. Spadaro,

Mark - Is that picture from the pre-Sandy layout?

@Steam Crazy,

John - Nice D&H engine and caboose. Where was the train show last weekend?

MELGAR

No, Mel, thanks for asking, but it’s not. I have no pictures of my former CBL, because they were lost in Sandy, along with the layout. It belongs to and was artfully built by another forumite, whom I’ve known since before belonging to OGR. He still tolerates me, and allows me to run my stuff at his house.

Awesome information, photos, and videos everyone!   Got to love those Alco RS11 road switchers, especially in the D&H Livery! Tom Densel you got to hear the Lima Symphony in the ALCO shop that where Shay's were made ... now how great that must have been!!   Love the Shay videos too!  What magnificent machines!   MELGAR - I love the S2 electric!   Such unique power!  To me they have a sort of Jules Vern look to them.  

Here are a couple switcher movies from my layout.  I've shown them before so I hope you don't mind seeing them again.  For some reason I can't seem to upload my newer videos.  Hmmmm I must look into that.   I'm now on my way to Delaware for a family wedding so I may not circle around to SWSAT until tomorrow.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  

@trumpettrain posted:

For some reason I can't seem to upload my newer videos.  Hmmmm I must look into that.

Patrick,

I had difficulty uploading the videos in today's Switcher Saturday post. I had to delete the post twice before it worked on the third try last night around 12:30 AM. One of the attempts resulted in an email message from OGR saying that the video file-type was not acceptable. Obviously it was since it loaded properly on the third try...

MELGAR

@Tom Densel posted:

Good morning SWSAT crew!

This past week my wife and I took a short vacation that included a ride on the Greenbriar Express at Cass West Virginia.  The Shay locomotives that Cass Scenic Railroad uses are a sight to behold.  I could have just sat and watched them run up and down the tracks all day.  The sound of the engines and running gear are hypnotizing.  The smell of the coal smoke, steam and grease is intoxicating.

As I live only about 1/2 hour from the old Lima Locomotive Works, these locomotives hold a special place in my heart.  About 30 years ago my wife and I attended a concert by the Lima Symphony Orchestra that was held in the Shay shop at the former Locomotive Works.  This was a last hurrah as the building came down shortly after the concert.  It was a special feeling seeing these beasts up close and in operation, especially since I was actually in the building where they were built.  After this visit I have a new appreciation for the phrase "It runs like a well oiled machine".

A crew member lubricates the drive train during our stop to eat lunch.

The vertically mounted three cylinder steam engine and drive train.

Beveled gears on the wheel.  The mating beveled gear is behind the rounded shield.

The following videos show Shay #4 in action.  Crank up the volume and enjoy!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom

Very sharp Tom must have been cool to watch!! Mark

@Tom Densel - Tom thanks for the video's of Cass Railway they were great.  It has been many years since I rode and visited Cass but I agree it was outstanding and thrilling.

Well SwSat fans, I am continuing on my quest to try and use some video's to give my post some animation.  So here we go again and I again apologize for my video shortcomings.  These are of my "new" MPC NW-2 EMD demo switcher.

Best Wishes, hope your weekend goes well

Don

Great footage and pictures

Here is my PRR saddle tank switcher repositioning New Hope RR cars.

My Pennsy work train has completed the transition to PennCentral power with a Legacy RS 11.

Have a great weekend!

Peter

Don, I looked for shortcomings in your video, but I didn't see any!

John

I’m with John, great job Don. Videos are clear, and you followed the switcher nicely, well done.

Andy

@Steamfan77 and @Steam Crazy - Thank you both, you are very kind.  Maybe I am getting the hang of it after all! 

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

@Steamfan77 and @Steam Crazy - Thank you both, you are very kind.  Maybe I am getting the hang of it after all! 

Don

Great videos Don. Not as hard as you think. Keep up the good work.

@Putnam Division with your PC unit we're at 4 RS11's on one SWSat! 😆😆

@trumpettrain, Patrick your hand on the throttle today is taking us to new and very exciting locations and the scenes are beautiful, your fall colors with beautiful diesels passing through well designed tunnels and passenger terminals, also, @RSJB18 Bobs beautiful new switchers are looking fantastic, and @Don McErlean is becoming a video perfectionist, all great trains in action, @Steam Crazy, that D&H RS11 switcher is a beauty, @MELGAR, the NYC S2 engine is a really nice piece, and the swinging bell is so cool, Wow, @Putnam Division, Peter, beautiful switcher and awesome layout, Wow, @Tom Densel, wow, beautiful real steamers, real Shays, really nice videos, so much fun to watch, today is a fantastic Switcher Saturday, Happy Railroading Everyone

Correction....5 RS11's, 4 road names.....🤪

Well, Hello Dolly! She's not an RS-11 but here's #415, one of two of the Soo's RS-27 "Dolly Sisters," moving a small consist of favorite boxcars:

Sorry for the SWSUN entry again, but I needed inspiration from you fine fellers, especially @RSJB18's post referencing the two Soo RS-27's!

@tnkMarx posted:

Happy Switcher Saturday!

A pair of CN switchers moving a few freight cars.

Have a great day!

TnkMarx, we'd love to see your photos and videos. Please repost if you can!

@MELGAR posted:

Lionel 6-84507 is a diecast Legacy model of New York Central & Hudson River Railroad S-2 electric motor #3207, released in 2017 with MSRP $799.99. It is listed for operation on O-36 curved track.

After an accident due to excessive smoke in the Park Avenue Tunnel in 1902, a law was enacted to prohibit steam locomotives in Manhattan beginning in 1908. The New York Central responded by having General Electric and Alco develop an electric locomotive (Class S-1 #6000) with a 1-D-1 wheel arrangement and installing 600-volt DC third-rail on its line between Grand Central Terminal and Harmon, NY (about 31 miles), and on its Harlem Line between GCT and North White Plains. Shortly after electric operations began in 1907, a train powered by two electric locomotives derailed with numerous fatalities and injuries, and the Class S locomotives were modified by adding another set of wheels to the leading and trailing trucks to improve high-speed tracking on curves. Despite their 2-D-2 wheel arrangement, and due to their long rigid wheelbase, the S-2 locomotives were never fully satisfactory pulling long heavy trains at high speeds.

As a result, the S motors were assigned to short local commuter trains and empty equipment movements between Grand Central and the coach yards at Mott Haven in the Bronx (about 6.5 miles) for 60 years. Their final assignment was switching in the underground yards of Grand Central Terminal. The last one was retired in 1981 after 75 years in service. They had a maximum speed of 60 miles-per-hour, tractive effort of 37,000 pounds, 2,200 horsepower for starting, and 1,695 horsepower for continuous operation.

S-1 electric motor #6000 has been stored outside near Albany, New York and plans are to move it to the Danbury Railway Museum in Connecticut.

The swinging bell feature on Lionel’s S-2 model can be seen in the first video, in which it is pulling an MTH Premier model of New York Central lightning-stripe heavyweight passenger car #1991 at a scale speed of 21 miles-per-hour. The locomotive sounds to me like a trolley car.

MELGAR

Thanks for your post on a really nice model, Mel. I see now what inspired Lionel's pre-war tinplate standard gauge locos! I thought the diminutive pantographs on the pre-war model were just made that way to make manufacturing easier.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Well, Hello Dolly! She's not an RS-11 but here's #415, one of two of the Soo's RS-27 "Dolly Sisters," moving a small consist of favorite boxcars:

Sorry for the SWSUN entry again, but I needed inspiration from you fine fellers, especially @RSJB18's post referencing the two Soo RS-27's!

Looks great Bill. I hope mine runs that well when I finish repairing the trucks.

Bob

WOW!!  What  wonderful posts so far on this edition of Switcher Saturday!  I'm back in town and have been enjoying reading and looking at what everyone has posted.   Feel free to keep on posting your photos/videos/info! today and all through the week.  Just because we celebrate switchers on Saturday doesn't mean we can't give these great engines a nod throughout the week ..just say'n!

A Plymouth switcher works the logging camp siding.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Thanks for your post on a really nice model, Mel. I see now what inspired Lionel's pre-war tinplate standard gauge locos! I thought the diminutive pantographs on the pre-war model were just made that way to make manufacturing easier.

Bill,

The small pantographs are scale and were designed for use in Grand Central Terminal where there were numerous track crossovers with gaps in the DC 3rd-rail (just outside the running rails). In those places overhead wires supplied 600-volt DC power to the locomotive through the small pantographs.

MELGAR

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks great Bill. I hope mine runs that well when I finish repairing the trucks.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. The Legacy diesels do run well; she's running on the LionChief app in the video. I'm anxiously awaiting my Legacy control upgrade from Lionel so I can access all of the RailSounds features.

MTH has a bad habit of not lubricating the axles and center gear shaft on their loco trucks. They instruct the buyer to do so before running a given loco in the instruction manual. Perhaps yours have seized on your trucks after sitting so long in storage. If the wheels don't slide side-to-side you will know this is the case. I believe you can free them by dropping the trucks, removing the side frames, applying a penetrating oil to all shafts, leaving the truck sit overnight and then gently tap each wheelset and the center gear in the direction of what looks like the greatest travel with a wooden mallet.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Thanks, Bob. The Legacy diesels do run well; she's running on the LionChief app in the video. I'm anxiously awaiting my Legacy control upgrade from Lionel so I can access all of the RailSounds features.

MTH has a bad habit of not lubricating the axles and center gear shaft on their loco trucks. They instruct the buyer to do so before running a given loco in the instruction manual. Perhaps yours have seized on your trucks after sitting so long in storage. If the wheels don't slide side-to-side you will know this is the case. I believe you can free them by dropping the trucks, removing the side frames, applying a penetrating oil to all shafts, leaving the truck sit overnight and then gently tap each wheelset and the center gear in the direction of what looks like the greatest travel with a wooden mallet.

Exactly what I'm doing Bill. Ted S on the What's on the Workbench thread mentioned that MTH had issues with wheel gauge on early PS diesels. Lucky me!

@MELGAR posted:

Patrick,

I had difficulty uploading the videos in today's Switcher Saturday post. I had to delete the post twice before it worked on the third try last night around 12:30 AM. One of the attempts resulted in an email message from OGR saying that the video file-type was not acceptable. Obviously it was since it loaded properly on the third try...

MELGAR

MELGAR - thanks for sharing your experience!   It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who's had that same frustrating experience I assure you.